Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday established a seven-member committee to engage in discussions with the government led by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

This decision comes a day after Imran Khan appealed to political stakeholders to initiate "immediate talks" due to the increasing number of party members parting ways.

The committee includes Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Parvez Khattak, Asad Qaisar, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Aon Abbas Buppi, Murad Saeed, and Hammad Azhar. Some of the leaders mentioned are currently in jail, evading arrests, or facing speculations about leaving the party amidst the ongoing mass exodus from the PTI.

During a conversation with a group of journalists, Imran Khan stated, "If I am disqualified, Shah Mehmood Qureshi will lead the party." He expressed his anticipation of upcoming surprises, emphasizing that change is imminent. Imran Khan mentioned that young individuals would be given electoral tickets, and he expressed confidence in the PTI's victory in the elections. He further suggested conducting a referendum to demonstrate public support.

Addressing concerns about his potential arrest, Imran Khan assured that if he were detained, PTI leaders such as Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Parvez Khattak, and others would handle party affairs. He clarified that he did not have any conflicts with the military and denied allegations of inciting violence against national buildings.

Imran Khan acknowledged that some party members had been compelled to leave, while others had revealed their true intentions. He vehemently denied instructing any party activists to engage in vandalism and expressed his commitment to peaceful approaches.

Regarding the government's response to talks, PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif ruled out the possibility of talks with Imran Khan and his party. He said there was no chance of talks with the "terrorists". 

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also dismissed the possibility, stating that negotiations could not be held with those who attacked the state. Aurangzeb accused Imran Khan of seeking a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) rather than genuine dialogue.

Karachi: Dr Seemin Jamali, well-known as an iron lady or bullet lady, breathed her last on Saturday evening at the age of 61, as confirmed by her family.

In the recent days, Dr Jamali's health had deteriorated significantly, and she was reported to be in critical condition. She had been receiving intensive care treatment at a private hospital. The esteemed doctor had been battling colon cancer since 2020.

Dr. Jamali's oxygen levels had dropped, and she was using a BiPAP machine for respiratory support. Her husband had informed that she was admitted to the hospital last Friday when her condition worsened.

Dr. Jamali began her medical journey in Nawabshah and later joined Jinnah Hospital, where she dedicated herself to serving the people of Pakistan through a government healthcare facility.

In November 2016, she assumed the position of executive director at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), one of the largest public healthcare institutions in the country. Throughout her tenure, Dr Jamali became synonymous with the hospital, often being the first point of contact during medical emergencies in Karachi.

After a distinguished career, she retired from her service in August 2021, leaving behind a lasting impact on the field of medicine.

Dr. Seemin Jamali's exceptional contributions to the medical field were recognized with the prestigious Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence).

The passing of Dr Seemin Jamali is a great loss to the medical community, and her contributions to healthcare in Pakistan will be remembered and celebrated.

Islamabad: On Sunday morning, parts of the country experienced the jolts of a 6.0 magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter located in the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

PMD stated that the earthquake occurred at 10:50 am, reaching a depth of 223km.

The tremors were felt in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with reports indicating that Islamabad and Rawalpindi also experienced the effects of the quake.

The provincial disaster management authority of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mentioned that tremors were felt across different parts of the province, but no reports of damage had been received by their control room at the time.

Simultaneously, the US Geological Survey, a US government agency monitoring global seismic activity, reported a 5.2 magnitude earthquake striking 35km southeast of Jurm, Afghanistan.

Indian media reported "mild earthquake tremors" felt in New Delhi and surrounding areas, Punjab, Haryana, as well as Srinagar and Poonch in occupied Kashmir.